TAE

Hi

I noticed that no one from this group has come forward to tell you about their experiences with TAE (Transarterial Embolization) so tried using the search bar in the group. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in finding anyone else talking about this treatment.

If you don't get any response from anyone in this group then I'd suggest you post your question in the Ask a Nurse section of the community and one of the specialist nurses will aim to reply within 2 working days.

When you have a minute, it would be really useful if you could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

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Thank you very much for your continued support. 

I think that you may mean TACE -- Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. I have had this twice done under local anaesthetic and sedation. Local anaesthetic is injected into your thigh and then the specialists make a painless entry with a probe into your femoral artery. This is then passed up your arterial system and is guided by some sort of scan they do. Awareness of what is going on is limited because of the sedation. The probe is guided into the liver to the blood vessels which are supplying the tumour. Once it's in the optimum position, a plug is inflated at the end of the probe to block the blood supply. If you are getting chemo as well then the probe also releases tiny beads loaded with agent. The net effect is to poison the cancer and choke off its oxygen supply. It was at this point, when the blood supply was cut off from the cancer, that I did feel some hypoxic pain but since you are connected to a drip they can give more painkiller if you ask for it.

Back in the ward, you might need some more painkillers for few hours but then things get better. You may be able to go back home the next day. If you are having chemo as well then the side-effects will be much less since the chemicals are only released next to the cancer and don't affect the rest of the body so much. You will be given pills to deal with any side-effects. I felt okay within about a week.

As I said above, I had this done twice, and also a session of radio-frequency ablation. (This was more painful afterwards than the TACE.) A scan taken three months later showed the cancer looking in a sorry state with not much sign of life. An attempt was made to then remove the tumour surgically and that was a failure.

Since then I have had a transplant and am still here six years after diagnosis and four years after transplantation.

Good luck with your own journey. My only sure advice is to always pack more underpants than you think you will need.

Hi Martyn, Thank you so much for your post. Greatly appreciated.  Unfortunately I can't have a transplant or an operation to remove my tumour due to my other medical conditions.  I am so pleased that you are still doing well. I wish you every success in the future.

I presume then that you have been offered this as a way of at least slowing down the progression of the cancer. It did the trick for me, although you might need it several times. I was only offered a place on the transplant list a year after the TACE sessions. They had wanted to see that the tumour had stopped growing. When, finally, after the transplant, when they looked at the thing under the microscope, all the cancer cells were dead. 

Yes. That's exactly what they have told me Martyn.  I am having a Transarterial Embolization (TAE) that is basically a TACE without the local chemotherapy.  My tumour is  quite large (i.e. 6cm x 5cm) so I might need two TAE's anyway about three weeks apart - and then a scan 6-8 weeks later to see how well the treatment has worked.

Hi Steve,

My Dad was diagnosed with HCC primary liver cancer in July 2019 and he's since had 3 TACE procedures. Like you his tumour isn't operable due to age, he's 76 and other health conditions. The procedures themselves have gone well and on the third occasion he was even treated as a day case which pleased him as he hates staying in hospital! The first one he found quite tolerable and other than some temperature fluctuations (good sign it means the cancer cells are dying) and a little appetite loss for first few days, he was back to himself in around a week. The second one I'll be honest with you hit a little harder as they really nuked it that time, almost like the first one was a response test and as it responded well they went for it second time. He had temperature issues and loss of appetite, flu feeling that went on for about 2 weeks on that occasion. The third one was sort of in between the two side effects wise. His tumour has been controlled well with this treatment and despite the side effects he feels its been worth it and of course a lot less severe than the traditional chemo some people have to have. Things have changed a bit recently for my Dad due to Covid delays but I will say that this treatment really has in his case kept things under control with minimal trauma and side effects. Personally I think the treatment is amazing, its just outstanding what can be done. I wish you all the best for your treatment and by all means ask if there's anything else on your mind about TACE.

Hi Jules,  Please accept my apologies for the delayed reply.  Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to send me your post. It's cheered me up!  I go into Addenbrooke's today to have a TAE (no chemo drug) for the first time tomorrow.  I'm a medic but I am still a bit scared. However I know it's got to be done.  Your post has uplifted me as I get ready to go.  It makes me more optimistic and I appreciate your truthfulness.  Thank you very much and I wish you, your dad and your family every good wish.  Thank you again. Steve 

No worries Steve, glad it's helped you. Best wishes for your treatment today and thank you for your kind wishes.

All the best,

Jules 

Hi Steve,

I have had 3 TACEs now and am down shortly for a fourth.

First one really made me feel like "never again" for 4 weeks.

Second was easier, only about a week of feeling low, off my food and weak as a kitten.

Third (I went to sleep/dozed off under the stuff they give you) and the sickness etc. results about the same as the second.

After 2 TACEs my tumour tumours had stopped growing (even if they were before-which I don't know) and am still in 2 weeks lockdown here on the island so don't know if they are still growing/stopped in their tracks/or are diminishing.

I'll let you know. when I have had the scan and before my fourth.

BTW my primary tumour was said to be 11.2cm.

Oh, P.P. I am 75 years young!

The main thing for me is I have extreme blood/needle phobia. This means my mind is tortured for 2 weeks before I go into hospital, their rules-to make sure I have not got COVID-dreading the op.and the myriad of injections Then I have to fly to Liverpool on a special plane which lands at 8 am the morning, wait for 6 hours before they let me into hospital, wait panic stricken overnight in a strange bed-then the op. (which, by comparison is a doddle).

So 2.5 weeks of fear. Then fly back (similar wait in empty airport) before landing in Isle of Man-followed by 2 weeks of lockdown dictated by the Islands authorities. This take about 4.5 weeks of aforesaid torture.

The I dread the next phone call from the hospital inviting me back.

What a waste of 2020!